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The Immortal Witness
Posted by Literary Titan

The Immortal Witness is a sweeping and imaginative work that blurs the lines between fiction, philosophy, and historical commentary. Told through the lens of an enigmatic figure named Aamon, an immortal being who has observed every major empire rise and fall, the novel follows his haunting dialogues with a curious historian. From the pyramids of Egypt to the bureaucracies of Rome and beyond, Aamon recounts history not with clinical detachment but with emotional weariness. The book delivers a deep meditation on human nature, power, memory, and the eerie repetition of civilization’s self-destruction. It’s a novel of ideas, framed as a personal confession from someone who’s seen everything.
I found the writing to be rich and poetic but never bloated. Wilcox has a gift for vivid detail and pacing that never stalls, even when he’s unpacking centuries of context. The historical settings felt alive. The pyramids sweating under the sun, the Senate whispering in corners, the roar of the Coliseum crowds, it all pulsed with urgency. What surprised me most was how mournful the tone became as Aamon trudged through time, his immortality not a superpower but a sentence. There’s real beauty in how Wilcox captures that sadness. His prose walks that fine line between weighty but never preachy and intellectual but still emotionally grounded.
Aamon doesn’t just reflect on history; he holds a mirror up to us. His belief that civilizations crumble not from invasion, but from within, due to arrogance, greed, and a loss of humility. The parallels to our current world were impossible to ignore. At times, I felt uncomfortable, even accused, and I think that’s exactly the point. This isn’t a book that lets you off easy. It’s not trying to make history charming or grand, it wants to show you the blood, the rot, the recycled mistakes.
If you’re someone who enjoys historical fiction with a philosophical edge, this book is for you. But it’s not a breezy read. It asks you to think, to feel, and to look inward. It’s perfect for readers who enjoy reflection, who aren’t afraid of slow-burn storytelling, and who crave something that leaves a mark. The Immortal Witness is less a book you read and more a story you absorb.
Pages: 238 | ISBN : 1959624059
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Posted in Book Reviews, Four Stars
Tags: adventure, author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, Clifton Wilcox, ebook, fiction, goodreads, historical fiction, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, nook, novel, philosophical fiction, read, reader, reading, story, supernatural, The Immortal Witness, writer, writing
Finding Something to Beleive In
Posted by Literary_Titan

Struth Mate! Is This Hell? is a mad, cosmic ride through a metaphysical reality where life, death, religion, science and philosophy collide. What was the inspiration that created the fantastic journey these characters go on?
I guess as we all age, we start to wonder what life’s journey was all about and seek some reassurance that it was worthwhile and that we leave behind some lasting legacy. To put this another way, I guess to be fully content we need something to believe in, some form of religion, however that may manifest itself.
On my own journey in search of a religion, my initial approach was to delve into science and established religions, believing that answers were already established. But unable to find solace and any meaningful connection, I eventually decided to start afresh and develop a sort of personal religion based on known facts and logic. “Struth!” at its core, is really the outcome of this search, with all the workings included, but wrapped up in a novel to provide drama and intrigue. I decided to publish it in the hope that it would provide others with an alternative perspective that may help shape their own views.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Having previously revealed the core model in the first book in this series, this second book took those ideas and extrapolated them to predict the future. The fate of mankind and the Earth is revealed by applying the model to the Bible’s Book of Revelation, decoding its meaning and creating a whole new literal translation that provides some thought-provoking insights. Furthermore, it attempts to consolidate the seemingly conflicting views of religion and science.
I have always been puzzled by the strange multiple personality disorder of the Christian God, who appears to have extreme mood swings. In this book the form and existence of Gaia, or Mother Nature, is revealed. It is she who has been the prime controlling influence over Earth’s development for millions of years, even aiding the rise of mankind … although she now believes that to be a mistake!
What experience in your life has had the biggest impact on your writing?
Without any doubt, becoming a father (x3). The miracle of birth and parenthood never failed to amaze me and brought with it a sense of awe and wonderment at nature. It certainly starts you questioning whether there truly is a God and how life began.
Turning your question around, the experience of writing has certainly impacted my life. Before embarking on this journey, I would have describe myself as an agnostic bordering on atheism. With my journey now nearing its conclusion, I would still describe myself as an agnostic as the ideas I have generated, although being logical and rational in my own mind, are still fictional and unproven. But perhaps now with a greater appreciation of the spiritual, my views have certainly shifted a little towards the religious.
When will book three be available? Can you give us an idea of where that book will take readers?
The third and final book in the series will focus on the very meaning of existence and provide plausible answers to those ultimate questions of life, the universe and everything. As to when it will be published, I can’t say. This is my retirement project and things move slowly these days.
Author Links: GoodReads
In this second book in the series, the search for meaning continues and we learn of mankind’s fate, how the Earth meets its end and locate the elusive “42”. On the journey we encounter Gaia, or Mother Nature if you prefer. Who or what is she? What is her connection with God and the Devil? Is she really able to influence life on Earth, change our environment, or even alter the course of evolution? Furthermore, by applying the “Struth!” model to the Bible’s Book of Revelation, reveals some thought-provoking insights and decodes its meaning to create a new literal interpretation. Here the returning Messiah takes on greater significance and is brought startlingly into focus.
WARNING: This product may challenge your existing beliefs
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Posted in Interviews
Tags: author, AVA FORME, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, ebook, fiction, goodreads, indie author, inspirational, kindle, kobo, literature, nook, novel, philosophical fiction, read, reader, reading, Religion & Spirituality, story, Struth Mate: Is This Hell?, writer, writing
Struth Mate!: Is This Hell? (Struth! Book 2)
Posted by Literary Titan

Ava Forme’s Struth Mate! Is This Hell? is a mad, cosmic ride through a metaphysical reality where life, death, religion, science and philosophy collide. This isn’t your typical sci-fi or religious satire, it’s a sprawling, layered universe that takes big swings at answering life’s biggest questions: Why are we here? What happens after we die? Are we just meat machines or does something greater move us? Picking up from the model of the universe developed in the first book in this series, this volume throws us into the “scosmos,” a parallel spiritual plane, where spirits use life (and specifically the heightened abilities of human life) to try to solve some of the universe’s ultimate puzzles.
I found the writing style both wild and strangely charming. Forme’s world is complex and stuffed to the brim with ideas. It’s like reading someone’s fever dream if that dream had been outlined by a philosopher-turned-sci-fi author with a very dry sense of humor. The way new words are formed by slapping an “s” in front of them (like “slife” for spiritual life or “swalk” for spiritual walk) is weird at first, but it grew on me. It added to the surreal, alien-but-familiar tone of the book. I especially loved how Don, our narrator, walks us through Heaven like a sarcastic Airbnb host explaining self-image manipulation, spiritual politics, and bisexuality in the afterlife like it’s all totally normal. His personal discomfort, curiosity, and heartbreak over his lover Lesley’s secret identity as the reincarnated spirit of Adolf Hitler is told with emotional vulnerability and dry wit that somehow makes it all land.
That said, Struth Mate! isn’t a light beach read. It’s dense. There’s a whole metaphysical system introduced in the preamble and “Chapter 0” that includes spiritual echelons, reincarnation mechanics, and a universal information network called the sinternet that provides access to all knowledge stored in dark matter. It’s a lot. But that’s also what makes it fun, if you like a bit of brain-stretching fiction. One of the more memorable concepts was the “Kali Objective,” a mission given to gods (yes, there are many, and they retire like presidents) to stop the universe from continually cycling from Big Bang to Big Crunch by understanding and mastering cosmic forces. It’s ambitious, almost laughably so, but it hooked me. I caught myself wondering, “What if?” more than once.
Emotionally, the book lands harder than I expected. The way Forme explores spiritual longing, identity, and purpose hit close to home. Don’s inner conflict, especially when he finds out Lesley is not only God now but also carrying the spiritual echo of Hitler, is both bizarre and strangely touching. It makes you reflect on how we process trauma, identity, and destiny. The book might be dressed in cosmic technobabble and telepathic networking, but at its core, it’s about people (or spirits) trying to find meaning and connection in a chaotic universe.
If you need linear plots, clear-cut good guys and bad guys, or simple language, you’ll probably get frustrated. But if you’re the kind of reader who digs The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy mixed with The Good Place, stirred up with philosophical rambling and a healthy dose of irreverence, you’ll be in for a hell of a time. I’d recommend it to fans of speculative fiction, agnostics wrestling with cosmic meaning, or just anyone who likes their sci-fi on the strange side.
Pages: 511 | ASIN : B0F32RBYYG
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Posted in Book Reviews, Five Stars
Tags: author, AVA FORME, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, ebook, fiction, goodreads, indie author, inspirational, kindle, kobo, literature, nook, novel, philosophical fiction, read, reader, reading, Religion & Spirituality, story, Struth Mate: Is This Hell?, writer, writing
Vice and Virtue
Posted by Literary_Titan

Notes From After Dusk follows two people through their journal entries as they explore psychological and philosophical topics and how childhood experiences impacted their adult mental health and personality issues. What inspired the setup of your story?
I decided to write Notes From After Dusk during a particularly difficult time in my life. I had been reading books such as On the Heights of Despair, Nausea, and Lolita. I had been interested in experimenting with the epistolary format, and I wanted to write a novel about love, sadness, and philosophy.
What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?
I believe in the existence of free will. Moreover, I believe that every human being is capable of vice and virtue alike. I believe that these aspects of human nature fuel literary fiction.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I knew from the beginning that I wanted Notes From After Dusk to explore Existentialism, love, and depression. As the novel developed, I realized that I also wanted to explore Marxism and Liberalism as well.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I’ve been working on some prose that I think is very promising. I want my next book to be more intensely philosophical than Notes From After Dusk. Hopefully, it’ll be published within the next two or three years.
Author Links: Website | Book Review

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Posted in Interviews
Tags: author, book, book recommendations, book review, book reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, ebook, fiction, goodreads, Ian Johnson, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, nook, Notes From After Dusk, novel, philosophical fiction, read, reader, reading, story, writer, writing
Notes From After Dusk
Posted by Literary Titan


Notes From After Dusk is a captivating novel chronicling the lives of two individuals, Olivia and Michael, through their poignant journal entries. These entries, ranging from several pages to succinct sentences, are written in the first person, allowing readers to delve deeply into the psyches and souls of the protagonists. This unique narrative structure adds profound depth and intimacy to their experiences.
The novel is not merely a story but a journey into a rich tapestry of universal concepts and philosophies. Olivia and Michael share their daily lives through journal entries, revealing their innermost beliefs, ruminations, and realizations. They delve into Socratic and Platonic philosophies, exploring their relevance in the modern world. Their unorthodox commentary on psychological and philosophical topics offers a fresh perspective on centuries-old teachings, sparking curiosity and contemplation in readers’ minds. The text employs symbology from various cultures and philosophies, significantly enhancing the protagonists’ relatability as they learn to heal through therapy, study, and the passage of time. The philosophical references throughout the book open several topics for readers to research or ponder for academic and inspirational purposes. The entries interweave the impact of childhood experiences on Michael and Olivia’s adult lives, connecting childhood traumas to adult mental health and personality issues. The later portions of the book highlight the ebb and flow of mental health struggles and the toll that depression takes on the human brain and psyche.
Notes From After Dusk is a masterfully composed, multifaceted novel that resonates with readers while challenging them intellectually. The numerous journal entries excel at employing the complexity of the English language, shedding light on vital topics and fostering new ruminations on philosophies studied for centuries. It is a thought-provoking novel that will captivate those who enjoy pondering the many questions the human condition presents.
Pages: 152
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Posted in Book Reviews, Five Stars
Tags: author, book, book recommendations, book review, book reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, ebook, fiction, goodreads, Ian Johnson, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, nook, Notes From After Dusk, novel, philosophical fiction, read, reader, reading, story, writer, writing
Destroy Creation
Posted by Literary Titan

In no uncertain terms, Destroy Creation: Phase II by Ryan A. Kovacs is a tour de force of speculative fiction that I found to be utterly captivating. This exhilarating cocktail of fantasy, philosophy, and poetry sets the heart aflame and whets the intellectual appetite in equal measure.
In this exceptional follow-up to the inaugural installment, we are led deeper into the labyrinth of the narrative as Kovacs masterfully unfurls the continuation of savant Dr. Larson’s cerebral manipulation of young Thomas, a character with psychic capacities that stretch beyond conventional comprehension.
This sequel shines a light on the backstory of the plot that is tightly intertwined with the nuclear tests of the 1960s, which become a catalyst for the spiraling narrative. Through the contrasting characters of Thomas, beset by his apocalyptic impulses, and Alex, imbued with a soothing, gentle demeanor, Kovacs skillfully navigates us toward the climax of Dr. Larson’s audacious experiments in creativity and the consequent unraveling of his plans.
This exceptional novel has my enthusiastic endorsement, with the storyline being the highlight. The dreaded ‘sequel syndrome’ is neatly sidestepped in Destroy Creation: Phase II. Instead of leaning on worn-out tropes or running the risk of becoming stale, this sequel astoundingly augments the allure of the original, presenting familiar settings and characters that remain ever-engrossing.
Kovacs’ narrative prowess is remarkable as well as his talent as a prose poet. His work weaves a cohesive tale, replete with dialogue, while adopting an intriguing structure of rhyme and stanzas. The infusion of this lyrical aspect serves to enhance the story’s rhythm, resulting in an enchanting reading experience that led me to devour the entire volume in one sitting!
This literary strategy employed by Kovacs is a cornerstone of his unique storytelling technique. Like his character Thomas, Kovacs has a similar ability to enthrall his readers using seemingly simple words: “Head… Boulevard… Six… Park… Right… Flower… Worn… Ciao…” They hang in the air, drawing the reader in and immersing them in a world both fantastical and palpably real. In conclusion, Destroy Creation: Phase II is a must-read for those seeking an extraordinary literary journey.
Pages: 140 | ASIN : B0CJ3HKVTB
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Posted in Book Reviews, Five Stars
Tags: author, book, book recommendations, book review, book reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, Destroy Creation, ebook, fiction, goodreads, historical fiction, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, nook, novel, philosophical fiction, read, reader, reading, romance, Ryan Kovacs, sci fi, science fiction, story, writer, writing
Create Destruction
Posted by Literary Titan

Head… Boulevard… Six… Park… Right… Flower… Worn… Ciao…
Thomas eagerly wants to help the world. Presented with an opportunity to do just that, he joins a government experiment led by Dr. Larson. This brilliant scientist believes Thomas can bring peace and order to a chaotic world. However, the method he chooses to achieve this aim is nothing Thomas was prepared to face. After enduring carefully crafted experiments, Thomas emerges as a powerful weapon. Yet, even after crushing conditioning, Thomas is left with questions about meaning, free will, and destiny. In the darkest moment, Thomas must decide his identity and step into his ability to choose.
Create Destruction, by Ryan A. Kovacs, is a brilliant and chilling philosophical exploration of humanity. The reader witnesses Thomas’ thoughts and experiences as he endures mental conditioning. Yet, even while being taught rhetoric and actions by Dr. Larson, Thomas remains contemplative of life, time, and humanity. Thomas’ father is the one voice that sheds light on this swirling darkness. He presents a competing philosophy to Dr. Larson’s worldview that connects Thomas to his humanity.
Free will and choice, as they relate to destiny, are the driving themes of this story. Can one truly have a choice in events if destiny has already chosen it for you? The writing style is utterly unique and intriguing. Poetic, vibrant, and succinct – the author conveys both the temporary and the eternal in a few lines. The immaterial ideas are infused into concrete events – reverberating increased meaning with every layer. Additionally, how the book is sectioned into poetic movements supports these themes.
It is important for readers to note that this book gives the most relevant details from Thomas’ perspective and allows readers to fill in the gaps. This is a powerful writing technique as the reader considers the philosophical implications of the events. Ultimately, the most personal theme was the idea that choice is still available even in the most crippling circumstances.
Pages: 159 | ASIN : B0BRNW1JY7
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Posted in Book Reviews, Five Stars
Tags: author, book, book recommendations, book review, book reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, Create Destruction, ebook, fiction, goodreads, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, nook, novel, philosophical fiction, read, reader, reading, Ryan Kovacs, sci fi, science fiction, story, writer, writing
The Empathy Academy
Posted by Literary Titan

The Empathy Academy, by Dustin Grinnell, follows Montgomery Hughes on his journey of discovery as he questions his morality. A school was built for those who test positive for genes that affect empathy, and even though Monty tests negative, he finds his way onto Nantucket Island to enroll.
Montgomery “Monty” Hughes is a terrific kid, intelligent, and constantly questioning if he is doing the right thing. When he discovers his father profited on a fake cancer drug, he decides to enroll in the Empathy Academy, which is run by Dr. Sonja Woodward. Monty uses his friend’s test results to get into the academy so that he can escape his father’s wrongdoings.
Monty has been intrigued by medicine and wants to become a doctor; however, he does not want to make his father’s same mistakes. As Monty goes to the academy for the summer, the FBI places his father under house arrest while awaiting trial for the biggest fraud committed in medicine. His father, Richard Hughes, marketed a drug that was supposed to cure cancer and ended up being harmful. There is some irony in the story as his father was diagnosed with terminal Pancreatic Cancer.
The writing style and tone of this book are a balance of science and questioning morality. Are our genes responsible for our behavior and empathy, or does our environment also play a role? Throughout this book, Grinnell accurately captured human nature and the fine line between right and wrong. Some characters in this book know what they are doing is wrong but move forward because they are scared the outcome would negatively impact them. Other characters believe what they are doing is just and right but blind themselves to the true nature of their actions. Monty is inherently good but feels he needs help because of his father’s mistakes.
This captivating novel was interesting to read. Each character had a unique development, and you could see the inner workings of human nature. The underlying plot of the fake cancer drug could elicit some strong emotions from those that have been impacted by cancer in their lives. Cancer is a touchy subject, but I believe the author handled it well throughout the book.
The Empathy Academy combines science fiction and ethical philosophy into a riveting fantasy novel. If you question right and wrong, love deciphering morality, and would like to dive into human nature, then this book is for you.
Pages: 209 | ASIN : B09RTSZ7PQ
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Posted in Book Reviews, Five Stars
Tags: author, book, book recommendations, book review, book reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, Dustin Grinnell, ebook, ethics, fantasy, Genetic Engineering Fiction, goodreads, kindle, kobo, literary fiction, literature, medical fiction, morality, nook, novel, philosophical fiction, read, reader, reading, science fiction, scifi, story, The Empathy Academy, writer, writing









